18th June: Why the Universe is Trying to Kill Us – and how we can stop it!
- Ages 17+
Join PubSci on a rollercoaster ride of astronomical observations, global mass extinctions, galactic coincidences and astronomical heroics!
Date and time
Location
The Old King's Head
King's Head Yard Off Borough High Street London SE1 1NA United KingdomRefund Policy
Agenda
6:30 PM
Doors open to the public
7:00 PM
Event begins
8:00 PM
Break
8:30 PM
Q&A
9:00 PM
Event ends
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Optional socialising
About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours
- Ages 17+
- No venue parking
Could humanity be doomed to go the way of the dinosaurs?
Dr. Stuart Eves returns to PubSci to explore whether there's a cosmic pattern to historic mass extinction events, and how this might relate to our place in the Milky Way galaxy.
Of the five global mass extinctions in Earth's past, each had a different apparent cause, so why do they occur with almost clockwork regularity? The last one ended the reign of dinosaurs and gave rise to humans. Now evidence suggests planet Earth may already be overdue for the another Big One – the first in human history.
Will it be curtains for humanity? Is our species 'Doomed'– or is there something we could do to prevent a sixth global mass extinction event wiping us all out?
Come to PubSci on Wednesday 18th June to learn what's going on out there and how astronomers are learning to assess and warn of potential future catastrophes.
Could it be stargazers who end up saving human civilisation from going the way of the dinosaurs? Hold on to your hats, this is a cosmic rollercoaster ride you won't want to miss!
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PubSci talks run for around 45 minutes and are followed by a Q&A session. The Old King's Head has a happy hour before 7 and the kitchen serves traditional pub grub. The nearest tube is London Bridge (Borough High Street exit). See FAQs for more.
See below for ticketing options, to read about this month's speaker, and to learn more about PubSci.
Tickets
Booking is on a pay-what-you-can-afford basis.
There are two options: Choose Book without donating (max 4 tickets) if you prefer to put cash in the pot on the night, or choose Book for one + support PubSci (max 1 ticket) if you'd rather make a contribution when booking – this option also reserves one spot at the event.
If you need multiple tickets, you could get one donation ticket for whatever amount you're comfortable with for your group and add the other tickets for free. How you do it is up to you. Bring cash on the night to put in the pot if you prefer.
There's no set 'price' – we trust you to contribute what you think is fair in return for the evening. The precise amount is up to you but the price of one pub drink is probably a good measure. PubSci receives no other income. More information at the bottom of this page.
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Illustration: Solater (Deviant Art)
About the speaker
Dr Stuart Eves has more than 30 years of experience in satellite systems. He has an MSc in Astrophysics, a PhD in satellite constellation design, and is a Fellow of both the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Interplanetary Society.
Following 14 years with Surrey Satellite Technology, and 16 years with the MoD, Stuart founded his own space consultancy, SJE Space Ltd, in 2018. His satellite technology has been displayed in the Science Museum.
Stuart serves on the Advisory Panel for the European Space Agency's Space Safety Programme and is a founder of the GNOSIS network on sustainability in space. His 2017 book “Space Traffic Control” is a manual for maintaining the space environment and protecting satellites from natural hazards and man-made threats.
Stuart is passionate about sharing his love of space, and his outreach work has been recognised with the Arthur Clarke Award.
PubSci is delighted to welcome Stuart as the sixth speaker in our 2025 talks programme.
About PubSci
PubSci is funded entirely from attendee contributions. We don’t charge an entry fee our regular talks because science is for everyone and we want everybody to be able to afford our events. Instead, we run PubSci on a Pay-What-You-Can basis. You can make a contribution with your Eventbrite booking and we take a cash collection on the night.
To contribute via Eventbrite, select Reserve a Spot and scroll to "Book for one + support PubSci". This reserves one spot. If you wish to make one donation for several attendees, make sure to reserve enough free places as well.
By making a donation with your ticket, you make it possible for PubSci to put on events like this. We have no other source of funding. If you're not sure what's a reasonable and affordable amount, we suggest the same as you'd pay for a drink at the pub. If you want to support somebody attending who can't afford it, consider the price of two drinks.
Please see the below for all your FAQs
Note: We aim to keep PubSci accessible for all, but it is unsuitable for under 18s as we meet in the upstairs room of a pub. Regrettably, there is no wheelchair access.
Check out our Future Events page where you can also subscribe to our Google Calendar. PubSci events will then automatically appear in your own iCal compatible calendar.
You can learn more about PubSci via our LinkTree and download our events programme here.
Frequently asked questions
PubSci is entirely funded by the audience. We have no other source of income. There is no sponsor, no grant-funding, and no institutional backing. This makes us completely independent. It also makes our relationship with the audience very important.
There is no admission charge but PubSci isn't so-much "free" as "pay-what-you-can". We trust you to make whatever contribution you think is fair for an evening of science and socialising in a central London pub. You can make your contribution when booking or bring cash on the night.
We're not going to tell you what you should put in the pot but if you're buying drinks at the pub, you might want to donate the cost of one-drink per person. That seems a pretty good definition of pay-what-you can!
Sadly, our current venue is not wheelchair accessible. The room we use is upstairs in a historic Pub and there is no level access. We have tried to find an accessible venue but nothing was available at a price that would allow us to continue PubSci's pay-what-you can policy for events.
Absolutely, yes! The kitchen opens especially for PubSci and serves a range of classic pub grub (make sure to check the Specials board). Order food at the bar and it will be brought up to the meeting room. Please listen out for your food arriving. There is a happy hour on drinks from 5 to 7pm.
PubSci is definitely social – it’s a friendly crowd and there’s time to chat after the Q&A if you want to – but it’s not designed as a “mixer” event. We come for the science and stay for the chat.
PubSci is aimed at a general audience with an interest in science-topics topics, but no specialist knowledge is required. People from all walks of life, including scientists and non-scientists can enjoy our talks. If something didn't make sense, you can always ask for clarification in the Q&A.
There is seating for 44 and lots of standing room. Around half these seats are at tables. The best way to secure a seat and/or table is to arrive when the doors open at 6.30. Please contact us in advance if you have mobility issues or are unable to stand for long.
PubSci is an inclusive event, open to all and free from judgement. We aim to be a safe and respectful space regardless of gender, sexuality, race, disability, education or neurotypicality. However, the room we use is not wheelchair accessible due to access via stairs. We are looking for a solution.